Introduction

Words that sound alike but have different meanings are homonyms.

Some of the most commonly-confused homonyms include:

• there, their, and they’re
• its and it’s
• your and you’re
• to, too, and two
• affect and effect
• accept and except
• complement and compliment

How might you choose a homonym that is spelled correctly and communicates your meaning accurately?

Consult a dictionary or thesaurus: If you experience a niggling feeling that you haven’t used the correct word, consult a dictionary or thesaurus.

Make cautious use of your computer’s word processor: Correct errors that are indicated by the grammar and spell check function. However, keep in mind that a homonym that is spelled correctly may not have the correct meaning in the context of your paper.

Ask someone else to read your paper for you: Another set of eyes looking at your paper will increase the chance of catching a homonym error.

Make a deposit in your memory banks: One of the most effective ways to facilitate the correct use of homonyms is to store them in your memory.

Read widely and often: The more frequently you see words spelled and used correctly in reliable text, the more likely you are to use them correctly in your own writing.

Homonyms

Homonyms are words that sound like one another but have different meanings.

The most common homonyms include: 

Affect, Effect

Affect is most commonly a verb, usually meaning ‘influence’. (An easy way to remember this is that ‘affect’ starts with an “a”, as does ‘action’.) As a noun, it is a psychological term for emotion.

Effect is most common as a noun meaning ‘result’. ‘Effect’ used as a verb means ‘bring about’ some kind of change.

Example: The game affected the standings. Its effect was overwhelming. It effected a change in the affect of the winning team’s captain.

Afterward, Afterwards, Afterword

Afterward and afterwards are synonymous adverbs meaning that an event occurs later than another.

An afterword is an epilogue.

Aid, Aide

Aid is a noun meaning ‘assistance’ or a verb meaning ‘assist’.

An aide is a person who serves or offers assistance.

Example: “The aide will aid the victim.”

It’s, Its

It’s is a contraction, short for either It is or It has.

Its is the possessive form of it. This usually means that the following noun phrase belongs to ‘it’. It is important to recognise that ‘its’ the possessive form does not have an apostrophe – it is in the same category as ‘his’.

Example: “It’s (It is) my dog.” “The computer crashed a few minutes ago, and it’s (it has) done it again!” “What is its name?”

Lay, Lie

Lay is the action word.

Lie is the state of being or a telling someone something untruthful on purpose.

Example: “I will lay the book on the desk.”

Example: “I plan to lie in bed most of Saturday.”

Example: “Jim will probably lie to get out of being punished for breaking the window.”

To, Too, Two

Figuring out which of these three forms have stumped more than one person! You can find a quick way to tell them apart below:

To is generally used to describe a relationship between things. It is also used as an infinitive verb, as in “I love to eat.”

Example: “Matt is going to the doctor.” “This gift is to you.” “It is ten minutes to seven.”

Too is usually used when you are describing an excess or is used when noting something is in addition

Example: “I usually eat too much on Thanksgiving.” or “Joe cleaned the house, washed the car, and mowed the lawn, too.

Two is the word you use for the number 2.

Example: “You have two minutes left before class starts.”

Then, Than

Then indicates time.

Example: “First we went to dinner, and then we went to the show.”

Than is comparative.

Example: “I would rather see the comedy than see the horror movie.”

Versus, Verses

Versus indicates opposition.

Verses is the plural of verse, as related to poetry.

Principle, Principal

Principle (noun). A fundamental concept that is accepted as true.

The principle of human equality is an important foundation for all nations.

Principal (noun). The original amount of debt on which interest is calculated.

The payment plan allows me to pay back only the principal amount, not any compounded interest.

Principal (noun). A person who is the main authority of a school.

The principal held a conference for both parents and teachers.

Where, Wear, Ware

Where (adverb). The place in which something happens.

Where is the restaurant?

Wear (verb). To carry or have on the body.

I will wear my hiking shoes when go on a climb tomorrow morning.

Ware (noun). Articles of merchandise or manufacture (usually, wares).

When I return from shopping, I will show you my wares.

Lead, Led

Lead (noun). A type of metal used in pipes and batteries.

The lead pipes in my homes are old and need to be replaced.

Led (verb). The past tense of the verb lead.

After the garden, she led the patrons through the museum.

Which, Witch

Which (pronoun). Replaces one out of a group.

Which apartment is yours?

Witch (noun). A person who practices sorcery or who has supernatural powers.

She thinks she is a witch, but she does not seem to have any powers.

Peace, Piece

Peace (noun). A state of tranquility or quiet.

For once, there was peace between the argumentative brothers.

Piece (noun). A part of a whole.

I would like a large piece of cake, thank you.

Passed, Past

Passed (verb). To go away or move.

He passed the slower cars on the road using the left lane.

Past (noun). Having existed or taken place in a period before the present.

The argument happened in the past, so there is no use in dwelling on it.

Lessen, Lesson

Lessen (verb). To reduce in number, size, or degree.

My dentist gave me medicine to lessen the pain of my aching tooth.

Lesson (noun). A reading or exercise to be studied by a student.

Today’s lesson was about mortgage interest rates.

Patience, Patients

Patience (noun). The capacity of being patient (waiting for a period of time or enduring pains and trials calmly).

The novice teacher’s patience with the unruly class was astounding.

Patients (plural noun). Individuals under medical care.

The patients were tired of eating the hospital food, and they could not wait for a home-cooked meal.

Sees, Seas, Seize

Sees (verb). To perceive with the eye.

He sees a whale through his binoculars.

Seas (plural noun). The plural of sea, a great body of salt water.

The tidal fluctuation of the oceans and seas are influenced by the moon.

Seize (verb). To possess or take by force.

The king plans to seize all the peasants’ land.

Threw, Through

Threw (verb). The past tense of throw.

She threw the football with perfect form.

Through (preposition). A word that indicates movement.

She walked through the door and out of his life.

Summary

Homonyms are words that sound alike but have different meanings. 

Some of the most commonly-confused homonyms include:

• there, their, and they’re
• its and it’s
• your and you’re
• to, too, and two
• affect and effect
• accept and except
• complement and compliment

How to be sure you’re using the correct one: 

Do a quick Google search. 

Don’t rely on MS Word. 

Ask a friend to complete a peer review. 

Sources:

“Review Homonym Usage.” By Kaiser, Katelin. Retrieved from: https://writingcommons.org/chapters/style/description/545-review-homonym-usage Licensed under: CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

“Chapter 3. Commonly Misused Terms and Phrases. Effective Technical Writing in the Information Age.” By Joe Schall. Retrieved from: https://www.e- education.psu.edu/styleforstudents/node/1792 Licensed under: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

“4.2 Spelling. Writing for Success.” By University of Minnesota Press. Retrieved from:  http://open.lib.umn.edu/writingforsuccess/chapte r/4-2-spelling/ Licensed under: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0